Hotttest Games This Christmas

With Christmas just around the corner, and you making your list, we take a closer look at games that should be on your Christmas list this year. From first-person shooters to football madness, there is sure to be something for everyone.

Borderlands 2

Set five years after the original Borderlands, which to date has sold over 4.5 million copies, Borderlands 2 puts you back in control of Vault Hunters. The game is a first-person shooter but includes plenty of role-playing elements, with quests rather than missions and gaining experience to level characters up. Like before the graphics style is comic like, something that wouldn’t work for games like Call of Duty but works brilliantly for Borderland. Borderlands 2 is heavily weapon focused, allowing player’s access to new weapons depending on their skill level, with over 17.75 million weapons you’ll never hold the same gun twice. Like its predecessor, the story can be completed in 4 player co-op either online or through split-screen. Unfortunately it does not feature a full on multiplayer mode which would be a nice addition.

Halo 4

Returning to the Halo universe for the 7th, you assume the control of Master Chief again to fight a new threat called the Prometheans. Halo is no longer developed by Bungie, but now by 343 industries, with Halo 4 being the first of a brand new trilogy for Master Chief. All of the key Halo elements returning such as stunning visuals, addictive multiplayer and an engaging story. Halo 4 is set four years after the events of Halo 3 in the year 2557. Master Chief and AI companion crash land to a new planet, Requiem, which they must fight their way off. There is an underlying story as well as Cortana has reached the end of her AI lifespan and is starting to malfunction which makes for great scenes between her and Chief. Like most games this generation, Halo 4 comes into its own online, with a customizable Spartans and a brand new mode called Spartan Ops, which are a series of free downloadable chapters for players to complete online, which works alongside the main story. A number of maps are coming soon for Halo 4, the first being released on December 10th.

Assassins Creed III

Everyone’s favourite Assassin series is back for its 5th console adventure. You play as Connor, a Native American who must defend his village whilst aiding the Patriots to rid the Redcoats from their lands. The stunning visuals when running from tree to tree and amazing combat make this a real gem in the series. Players must swap the sword they used in past Assassin Creed games to take control of a tomahawk which makes for far more interesting combat. Where all Assassin Creed games come into their own is free running, and this is no different. You can still jump from rooftop to rooftop, but their aren’t that many, so trees and cliffs take their place with Connor leap from branch to branch to kill his targets. But with all Assassin Creed games the real power is in the single-player story. Multiplayer makes a return after its success when launched on Assassins Creed: Brotherhood. 12 modes are featured, just like the story it features major stealth elements. For the first time a new co-op mode is included allowing up to 4 players to complete a horde mode which involves killing enemies for up to 25 rounds. If you want to grab all Assassins Creed games, you can do so with the Assassins Creed: Anthology, featuring all 5 adventures plus their DLC

FIFA 13

The 20th installment in the FIFA series (WHAT!), FIFA 13 is a return to yearly football madness. New features include Attacking Intelligence where players can analyse space, thinking ahead to break down the defence and 1st Touch Control eliminating near-perfect touches for all players as well as allowing defenders to take advantage of possession if they lose control. Like all FIFAs of this console generation, it comes into its own in online matches allowing players to show off their skills to the world through set teams or using their Ultimate Teams. Those who have either PlayStation Move for PS3 or Kinect for Xbox 360 with players being able to paint paths using the move controller and referees decision being influenced by your reaction on Kinect, such as swearing. A new revised version of FIFA 13 has been released with over 2200 FIFA Points in the box available to use in Ultimate Team.

Far Cry 3

Set in another tropical paradise, Far Cry 3 is a first-person shooter with role-playing elements similar to Borderlands 2. You assume the control of Jason Brody who is captured by a group of pirates working in a slave trafficking ring. The map for Far Cry 3 is ten times the size of its predecessor allowing players to travel to various locations around the island. You are also given the chance to plan out your attacks before you execute them making for less frustrating gameplay. The multiplayer aspect of the game is similar to Call of Duty, with modes such as Domination and Team Deathmatch, also featuring a 4 player co-op mode. But even if it was without a multiplayer mode this game is a must play.

It is worth noting that all of these games feature DLC, so maybe ask for Microsoft Points/Playstation Network Cards (if you have an Xbox, get Gold)

If nothing here interests you, or you already have them, then we recommend the Wii U. Nintendos newest motion controlling console, which is definitely worth a shot. If you do choose to pick one up, TGI recommends ZombiU